Here’s what I want you to do:
1) Copy this list into your blog or journal,
including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.
The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:
1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake (I’ve had them all!)
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain (does boiled count?)
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake
Friday, November 12, 2010
What would you eat?
Sunday, August 15, 2010
City Barbecue in Florence
City Barbecue opened in Florence this weekend, and as my friend Tommy had been kind enough to find out if they use MSG in their food, when his parents arrived at the market today, we (my parents, Tommy, his parents, and myself) decided to give the place a try. As we entered, the first impression was crowded and noisy. Next, it turns out it is one of those semi-fast food places, you know, the ones where you go up to the counter, they give you cups to get your own drinks, then you wait for a tray and take it to your table. This was not promising, as we were exhausted, overheated, and those sorts of places aren't much fun when you have someone in a wheelchair.
But we placed our order, and I waited for the food while Mum and Daddy went to get tea. The aisle by the drinks was too narrow, and several employees were filling the tea urns using five-gallon buckets, and managed to splash the people waiting in line. I got the food, and was chagrined to discover Dad's and my sandwiches were served on paper sheets, not even paper plates. Mum's ribs were on plates, and the sides were in individual dishes, which were placed on tin trays. I got them to the only table I could find large enough, which happened to be by the garbage can. I got everyone settled, discovered they didn't give you silverware, and went in search of utensils, which were up by the drink stand.
Tom, Roberta, and Tommy finally joined us, and we sat down to eat. Mum got a half slab of ribs, which I have to say were truly awful. They were full of gristle and had very little meat, and what meat there was was totally dried out and barely edible. Daddy and I had pulled-pork barbecue sandwiches, which were edible, but I found the crust on my meat horribly salty. For sides, all three of us had corn pudding, Mum and I had gumbo, and Daddy had slaw. The corn pudding was edible, but was not a corn pudding, but just a corn casserole. The gumbo was way over-cooked and extremely over-salted. The only positive thing I heard at the table (and no one openly slammed the food, we did that in the car after we left!) was that the slaw was good.
All in all, I would give this restaurant an F. The food was horrible, the music too loud, and I don't like having the manager decide to change garbage cans in the middle of my meal and slam the can and container door into my chair while I'm trying to eat. Not an experience I'm likely to repeat.
But we placed our order, and I waited for the food while Mum and Daddy went to get tea. The aisle by the drinks was too narrow, and several employees were filling the tea urns using five-gallon buckets, and managed to splash the people waiting in line. I got the food, and was chagrined to discover Dad's and my sandwiches were served on paper sheets, not even paper plates. Mum's ribs were on plates, and the sides were in individual dishes, which were placed on tin trays. I got them to the only table I could find large enough, which happened to be by the garbage can. I got everyone settled, discovered they didn't give you silverware, and went in search of utensils, which were up by the drink stand.
Tom, Roberta, and Tommy finally joined us, and we sat down to eat. Mum got a half slab of ribs, which I have to say were truly awful. They were full of gristle and had very little meat, and what meat there was was totally dried out and barely edible. Daddy and I had pulled-pork barbecue sandwiches, which were edible, but I found the crust on my meat horribly salty. For sides, all three of us had corn pudding, Mum and I had gumbo, and Daddy had slaw. The corn pudding was edible, but was not a corn pudding, but just a corn casserole. The gumbo was way over-cooked and extremely over-salted. The only positive thing I heard at the table (and no one openly slammed the food, we did that in the car after we left!) was that the slaw was good.
All in all, I would give this restaurant an F. The food was horrible, the music too loud, and I don't like having the manager decide to change garbage cans in the middle of my meal and slam the can and container door into my chair while I'm trying to eat. Not an experience I'm likely to repeat.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
A Well-Stocked Larder
All my life we have canned and preserved food. I've helped, but for some reason, this year things have changed for me--for some reason, I now am taking personal pleasure in stocking my larder for the coming year with glass jars of tomato juice, crushed tomatoes, green beans, etc. Yesterday I found myself chucking a dozen bags of chopped okra in the freezer for use in stews and soups this winter. I've spent the past two days bottling 28 quarts and approximately 60 pints of tomato juice. This is beyond all the relish and jams I've been making to sell.
I even found myself sitting at the market Sunday breaking green beans (Blue Lake, of course) willingly--and I've always hated breaking beans!!!
I even found myself sitting at the market Sunday breaking green beans (Blue Lake, of course) willingly--and I've always hated breaking beans!!!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Aging
I have had a rough weekend, in which I had to take into consideration my parents' advancing age. My father is 71. While this is not terribly old, at his age there are some changes that have to be made.
Saturday night, on the way home from the market, Dad either fell asleep or blacked out from the heat (the air conditioner on the truck is broken) and ran the truck and trailer off the road. This resulted in two destroyed rims and tires on the truck, and a destroyed rim and tire and bent axle on the trailer.
Last night we held a family meeting with my maternal uncle, my cousin, his son, my mother, and myself. We had the uncomfortable task of telling Dad that he has to slow down. He's been in the habit of staying up until 3 am or so before getting up at 5 am to go to the market, and we had to tell him that he won't be going to markets with us on Saturdays anymore. He was not happy at all. I know he will miss the social interaction it provided, but he can still go to market with us on Thursdays and Sundays. But quite frankly, we sell much better when he isn't there, as he talks too much and scares off customers.
This is one of the hardest things I've had to do, tell my father he can't do all the things he wants to anymore. I just hope he doesn't become more angry.
Saturday night, on the way home from the market, Dad either fell asleep or blacked out from the heat (the air conditioner on the truck is broken) and ran the truck and trailer off the road. This resulted in two destroyed rims and tires on the truck, and a destroyed rim and tire and bent axle on the trailer.
Last night we held a family meeting with my maternal uncle, my cousin, his son, my mother, and myself. We had the uncomfortable task of telling Dad that he has to slow down. He's been in the habit of staying up until 3 am or so before getting up at 5 am to go to the market, and we had to tell him that he won't be going to markets with us on Saturdays anymore. He was not happy at all. I know he will miss the social interaction it provided, but he can still go to market with us on Thursdays and Sundays. But quite frankly, we sell much better when he isn't there, as he talks too much and scares off customers.
This is one of the hardest things I've had to do, tell my father he can't do all the things he wants to anymore. I just hope he doesn't become more angry.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Busy Week
Well, it's time for summer school to begin tomorrow. It officially began today, but my classes start tomorrow. In order to get everything ready, I've been writing syllabi and making jam (after all, I'll have less time once classes start). Yesterday I made 97 jars of strawberry, and today I made 15 jars of no sugar added strawberry and 40 jars of peach. Whew! Thank goodness I have a system for it all!
I've also been playing around a bit with fresh veggies from the garden. Yesterday I had tiny yellow squash and zucchini, which I sauteed with new green onions, olive oil, and creole seasoning (yum!) and boiled new potatoes with basil. Most people like parsley on their potatoes, but it's basil that I adore!
What can I say, I adore basil! Tonight we had BBTs--that's bacon, basil, and tomato sandwiches on my homemade basil-garlic bread. Lovely! Tomorrow, it's smoked turkey and swiss with basil--I haven't decided which bread yet, however. Decisions, decisions!
I've also been playing around a bit with fresh veggies from the garden. Yesterday I had tiny yellow squash and zucchini, which I sauteed with new green onions, olive oil, and creole seasoning (yum!) and boiled new potatoes with basil. Most people like parsley on their potatoes, but it's basil that I adore!
What can I say, I adore basil! Tonight we had BBTs--that's bacon, basil, and tomato sandwiches on my homemade basil-garlic bread. Lovely! Tomorrow, it's smoked turkey and swiss with basil--I haven't decided which bread yet, however. Decisions, decisions!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Oh my goodness!
Three words--Rhubarb Frozen Yogurt! It's sublime! I'm in rapture! Most people either love or hate rhubarb--there's no in-between. I've always loved it. My beloved grandmother, Mamaw, used to feed it to me served over vanilla ice cream. I was an adult before I ever tried it in a pie. I like rhubarb pie, but I still like it Mamaw's way best.
As I've gotten older, I've evolved a bit, as to be expected. I don't care much for flavored yogurts, as I find them too sweet. Instead, I usually eat plain yogurt with a bit of honey or some fresh fruit. Last week, I decided to try something new--cooked rhubarb mixed in plain yogurt. It was wonderful! So tonight, inspired by a post over at Poor Girl Eats Well on making blackberries and cream popsicles, I decided to whip out the old Cuisinart ice cream maker and give it a whirl. Oh my goodness! Delicious!!!
I would love to be able to publish some organized recipe here, but there really wasn't one. Simply cut up fresh rhubarb and place in a sauce pan with a little water to keep it from sticking. Cook over medium heat, stirring as the rhubarb slowly starts to break down. Add sugar to speed up this process, and create more liquid. The amount of sugar depends on how sweet you want it--so add to taste. Cook until the rhubarb is no longer slices, but more the consistency of apple sauce. Chill well. Mix the cooked rhubarb into plain yogurt (again the proportions depend on your taste) and either eat as-is, or add to an ice cream freezer and make a frozen treat!
As I've gotten older, I've evolved a bit, as to be expected. I don't care much for flavored yogurts, as I find them too sweet. Instead, I usually eat plain yogurt with a bit of honey or some fresh fruit. Last week, I decided to try something new--cooked rhubarb mixed in plain yogurt. It was wonderful! So tonight, inspired by a post over at Poor Girl Eats Well on making blackberries and cream popsicles, I decided to whip out the old Cuisinart ice cream maker and give it a whirl. Oh my goodness! Delicious!!!
I would love to be able to publish some organized recipe here, but there really wasn't one. Simply cut up fresh rhubarb and place in a sauce pan with a little water to keep it from sticking. Cook over medium heat, stirring as the rhubarb slowly starts to break down. Add sugar to speed up this process, and create more liquid. The amount of sugar depends on how sweet you want it--so add to taste. Cook until the rhubarb is no longer slices, but more the consistency of apple sauce. Chill well. Mix the cooked rhubarb into plain yogurt (again the proportions depend on your taste) and either eat as-is, or add to an ice cream freezer and make a frozen treat!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Whose job is it to raise the children?
Mrs. Q had a guest blogger yesterday who wrote about having children with food allergies and the issues this raises concerning school lunches (Food Allergies) The issue arises as to whether it is the responsibility of the school to provide alternative lunches for children with food allergies and/or ban the allergens from the school to protect just one student with allergies. One parent writes that her autistic 8-year old (not potty-trained, btw) has gluten allergies and the school refuses to provide special food for him, despite the fact that he qualifies for the free/reduced lunch program. Other respondents state that it is the responsibility of parents to provide these specialized lunches, regardless of financial qualifications.
I bring all of this up because it contributes to discussions I have had with many people since I became a teacher eight years ago. Whose job is it to raise the children? I have taught in two rural school districts where many parents had abdicated the responsibility of instilling basic manners and life skills to the schools themselves. I have heard horror stories from other educators of children sent to kindergarten who have not yet been potty trained because the parents can't be bothered and expect the teachers to do the job for them. I also refer to the episode of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution in which the principal at the elementary school and Jamie had to teach the children how to use knives to cut their food in the cafeteria.
What is happening in this country? Are we becoming (or have we already become) a nation of screen-staring, convenience food-swilling zombies? Is the world of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 coming to reality? Why is no one willing to take responsibility for his/her own actions/requirements?
I bring all of this up because it contributes to discussions I have had with many people since I became a teacher eight years ago. Whose job is it to raise the children? I have taught in two rural school districts where many parents had abdicated the responsibility of instilling basic manners and life skills to the schools themselves. I have heard horror stories from other educators of children sent to kindergarten who have not yet been potty trained because the parents can't be bothered and expect the teachers to do the job for them. I also refer to the episode of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution in which the principal at the elementary school and Jamie had to teach the children how to use knives to cut their food in the cafeteria.
What is happening in this country? Are we becoming (or have we already become) a nation of screen-staring, convenience food-swilling zombies? Is the world of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 coming to reality? Why is no one willing to take responsibility for his/her own actions/requirements?
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Mother's Day Treats
It's farmers' market season again, and just in time for Mother's Day! That means I'm keeping busy this week baking goodies: butterfly and flower cookies, blueberry scones, coffee cakes, and blackberry cobblers. It really helps that I freeze extra fruit at the end of the season to use the next spring as we start up. Otherwise, it would be another month before I had any fruit pies to offer!
I'm wondering, should I make pocket pies this week (think homemade Pop-Tarts)? Should I do peanut butter cookies?
At least I don't have to make jam this week as well! That will come soon enough, however, especially as I'll pull last season's frozen strawberries and pears out and make fresh jam.
On a personal food note, I can't wait until we have some decent fresh veggies in the garden! We'll have lettuce this weekend, and hopefully broccoli in a week or two, but I'm definitely getting antsy! I've been cutting some fresh asparagus, but the family is burning out on that a bit. Oh well!
I'm wondering, should I make pocket pies this week (think homemade Pop-Tarts)? Should I do peanut butter cookies?
At least I don't have to make jam this week as well! That will come soon enough, however, especially as I'll pull last season's frozen strawberries and pears out and make fresh jam.
On a personal food note, I can't wait until we have some decent fresh veggies in the garden! We'll have lettuce this weekend, and hopefully broccoli in a week or two, but I'm definitely getting antsy! I've been cutting some fresh asparagus, but the family is burning out on that a bit. Oh well!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Sunday Night at the Movies
We went to see Avatar last night. As promised, it was amazing. However (and you saw this coming, didn't you?), I was a little troubled--scratch that, a lot troubled--when what was a totally amazing and visually stimulating movie with a rather positive underlying message about ecology and connection with nature took a turn to become a stereotypical shoot-em-up action/war movie.
What was most disturbing was the fact that there were a lot of you children there. During the first two hours of the movie when it was entirely plot driven, these children fussed, and most made at least two trips to the restroom. However, once the battle scenes kicked in, they were entranced. This movie had a lot of violence at the end, and that was what entranced these children. They couldn't follow a simple plot line, but once the shooting started, they were enthralled.
What is happening with us? In some ways, I tie this in to some of the issues Mrs. Q addresses in her blog "Fed Up With School Lunch." She talks about her students' limited attention after the nutritiously poor cafeteria lunch--is the behavior I witnessed at the movie connected to this same nutrition deficit? I mean, granted, most of the kids were munching down on popcorn or candy, but I don't know what they were fed before they arrived (I can only assume highly-processed fast food).
So this is my question: Which has more to do with the limited attention span of our children? Television/media or diet?
What was most disturbing was the fact that there were a lot of you children there. During the first two hours of the movie when it was entirely plot driven, these children fussed, and most made at least two trips to the restroom. However, once the battle scenes kicked in, they were entranced. This movie had a lot of violence at the end, and that was what entranced these children. They couldn't follow a simple plot line, but once the shooting started, they were enthralled.
What is happening with us? In some ways, I tie this in to some of the issues Mrs. Q addresses in her blog "Fed Up With School Lunch." She talks about her students' limited attention after the nutritiously poor cafeteria lunch--is the behavior I witnessed at the movie connected to this same nutrition deficit? I mean, granted, most of the kids were munching down on popcorn or candy, but I don't know what they were fed before they arrived (I can only assume highly-processed fast food).
So this is my question: Which has more to do with the limited attention span of our children? Television/media or diet?
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Hello, World!
Hello there! What can I say, I've been inspired. For a number of years I've been occasionally posting mental ramblings on LiveJournal, but it's been sporadic. Today I decided to break into the true blog world! What will this be about? Well, many things: food (yes, another food blog); baking, perhaps (I do have my own baking business); farmers' markets; education (hopefully not too much so); books; manners; and life in general!
I've really been inspired to start this because of Mrs. Q, whose blog I've been following for a while now. I'm also hoping to use this as an outlet to talk a little about my own baking business, Sweet Virginia's Homemade Treats, where we make simple, healthful baked goods such as yeast bread, quick bread, pies, cookies, jams, relishes, etc., for sale at a nearby farmers' market.
So, with that intro, I begin.
I've really been inspired to start this because of Mrs. Q, whose blog I've been following for a while now. I'm also hoping to use this as an outlet to talk a little about my own baking business, Sweet Virginia's Homemade Treats, where we make simple, healthful baked goods such as yeast bread, quick bread, pies, cookies, jams, relishes, etc., for sale at a nearby farmers' market.
So, with that intro, I begin.
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